In light of the anti-slots coalition lawsuit filed yesterday in the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce issued this statement by its President/Chief Executive Officer Kathy Snyder:
For the past six years, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce has supported carefully regulated slot machines in limited locations to fund education in our State. And for the past six years, every poll we have seen has indicated that at least three out of five voters support this concept.
Now that voters finally have the opportunity to act on their support, the Stop Slots MD 2008 coalition has filed a lawsuit Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County to prevent citizens from having a say in the matter. In fact, in its filing, the Stop Slots coalition insinuates that voters don’t understand the issue. We strongly disagree.
The Maryland Chamber believes the wording of the ballot referendum to allow regulated slot machines in specified locations to support education is clear, fair and accurately portrays the intent of the Maryland General Assembly when it passed the constitutional amendment in November 2007.
State revenues are falling far below estimates. Without passage of this referendum, we will face dramatic cuts in education or even more tax increases. This referendum gives us the option of keeping entertainment dollars in Maryland rather than supporting other states’ schools.
Maryland voters understand the issue. The language is clear. We hope the Court will concur and let the voters decide.”
Kathy Snyder
President/CEO
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is a statewide coalition of 860 businesses who employ 440,000. Its mission is to maximize opportunities for its member businesses and their employees to grow and prosper.
